Temple University Athletics
Saturday, April 9
3:00 PM
Temple University
vs
Cherry & White Spring Game
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Football Ends Spring Practice with Annual Cherry & White Game
4.9.22 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – With a three year build up, the Cherry & White game did not disappoint. The weather, for the most part, remained as perfect as you could want it. The atmosphere was unmatched with pregame festivities such as local food trucks, music, and games. The lively event brought nearly 2000 attendees to Edberg-Olsen Hall, with a mixture of fans, recruits, and former players.
The game pitted the offense versus the defense, with points being awarded for big plays for the defense, and then more traditional scoring for the offense. The defense sported the iconic cherry while the offense wore the classic white.
The game began with the first team offense, led by quarterback D'Wan Mathis, taking on the second team defense. The defense got the better of the offense on this drive thanks to a TFL by defensive tackle Demerick Morris forcing a three-and-out. This was followed by another TFL and three-and-out. The second team offense, led by quarterback Mariano Valenti, got the game's initial first down. The following drive was a three-and-out with a sack by linebacker Yvandy Rigby to increase the defense's lead to 9. Safety Chauncey Moore then put his stamp on the game with a leaping interception by the sideline. The turnovers kept rolling on the next drive with the offense fumbling and cornerback Keyshawn Paul recovering.
The offense bounced back with an explosive play when Mathis connected with wide receiver Jose Barbon for a deep pass. (An "explosive play" is classified as a pass of 18 yards or more or a run of 12 yards or more. Both awarding the offense 3 points). The drive was then capped off with the first touchdown of the day, coming from a 23-yard reception by wide receiver De'Von Fox. The following drive, consisted of two consecutive first downs for the offense, resulting in one point, a one-handed catch from tight end David Martin-Robinson, and a tackle for loss for the defense. Ending that drive was a field goal attempt that came up short awarding the defense three points. All of this back-and-forth beginning action put the score at 17-14 defense.
The tenacious first team defense intercepted another ball, this one coming from safety Jalen Ware. The defense kept piling on after this with tackles for losses and sacks on consecutive drives. The offense finally put points on the board when Rory Bell booted a 37-yard field goal pulling the offense into a one score 23-18 game. To close out the first half, the team was put into a two-minute drill. The offense was able to march the ball down the field, allowing Bell to make a 27-yard field goal, closing out the first half scoring. At halftime, the score sat at 36-25 fro the defense.
The defense jumped out to a good start in the second half, highlighted by a sack from nose tackle Jalen Satchell. In his post-game interview, Coach Stan Drayton emphasized the strong play from the nose tackle position in Satchell and Xach Gill. The offense came right back with Valenti linking with tight end Jordan Smith for a back shoulder 30-yard touchdown, closing the scoring gap to 41-38. The offense then looked like it was going to take the lead as they marched down the field, however an interception from linebacker Muheem McCargo in the end zone completely flipped the momentum. Linebacker Kobe Wilson recovered a fumble to mark the fifth takeaway by the defense. Similar to the end of the first half, the second was also capped off with a two-minute drill. Wide receiver Amad Anderson stepped up making two catches on the drive, one of which went for a 32-yard back shoulder touchdown.
On a day the defense put a lot of pressure on the offense, the player who stood out the most was defensive end Layton Jordan whose day consisted of four sacks. A possible unsung hero of the day was punter Noah Botsford who did a consistent job flipping the field position.
The defense prevailed as the winner in the end with the final score being 64-54. The day, as a whole, lived up to expectations. The team offered a competitive and entertaining game. Despite battling each other, the team showed a lot of togetherness and team spirit. In the public's first glimpse of Coach Drayton's team, it is easy to point out the resurrection of school pride and Temple TUFFness.
The game pitted the offense versus the defense, with points being awarded for big plays for the defense, and then more traditional scoring for the offense. The defense sported the iconic cherry while the offense wore the classic white.
The game began with the first team offense, led by quarterback D'Wan Mathis, taking on the second team defense. The defense got the better of the offense on this drive thanks to a TFL by defensive tackle Demerick Morris forcing a three-and-out. This was followed by another TFL and three-and-out. The second team offense, led by quarterback Mariano Valenti, got the game's initial first down. The following drive was a three-and-out with a sack by linebacker Yvandy Rigby to increase the defense's lead to 9. Safety Chauncey Moore then put his stamp on the game with a leaping interception by the sideline. The turnovers kept rolling on the next drive with the offense fumbling and cornerback Keyshawn Paul recovering.
The offense bounced back with an explosive play when Mathis connected with wide receiver Jose Barbon for a deep pass. (An "explosive play" is classified as a pass of 18 yards or more or a run of 12 yards or more. Both awarding the offense 3 points). The drive was then capped off with the first touchdown of the day, coming from a 23-yard reception by wide receiver De'Von Fox. The following drive, consisted of two consecutive first downs for the offense, resulting in one point, a one-handed catch from tight end David Martin-Robinson, and a tackle for loss for the defense. Ending that drive was a field goal attempt that came up short awarding the defense three points. All of this back-and-forth beginning action put the score at 17-14 defense.
The tenacious first team defense intercepted another ball, this one coming from safety Jalen Ware. The defense kept piling on after this with tackles for losses and sacks on consecutive drives. The offense finally put points on the board when Rory Bell booted a 37-yard field goal pulling the offense into a one score 23-18 game. To close out the first half, the team was put into a two-minute drill. The offense was able to march the ball down the field, allowing Bell to make a 27-yard field goal, closing out the first half scoring. At halftime, the score sat at 36-25 fro the defense.
The defense jumped out to a good start in the second half, highlighted by a sack from nose tackle Jalen Satchell. In his post-game interview, Coach Stan Drayton emphasized the strong play from the nose tackle position in Satchell and Xach Gill. The offense came right back with Valenti linking with tight end Jordan Smith for a back shoulder 30-yard touchdown, closing the scoring gap to 41-38. The offense then looked like it was going to take the lead as they marched down the field, however an interception from linebacker Muheem McCargo in the end zone completely flipped the momentum. Linebacker Kobe Wilson recovered a fumble to mark the fifth takeaway by the defense. Similar to the end of the first half, the second was also capped off with a two-minute drill. Wide receiver Amad Anderson stepped up making two catches on the drive, one of which went for a 32-yard back shoulder touchdown.
On a day the defense put a lot of pressure on the offense, the player who stood out the most was defensive end Layton Jordan whose day consisted of four sacks. A possible unsung hero of the day was punter Noah Botsford who did a consistent job flipping the field position.
The defense prevailed as the winner in the end with the final score being 64-54. The day, as a whole, lived up to expectations. The team offered a competitive and entertaining game. Despite battling each other, the team showed a lot of togetherness and team spirit. In the public's first glimpse of Coach Drayton's team, it is easy to point out the resurrection of school pride and Temple TUFFness.
| Scoring Play | Offense | Defense |
| TFL (D.Morris) | 0 | 1 |
| 3-and-Out | 2 | |
| TFL | 3 | |
| 3-and-Out | 4 | |
| 10-yard Penalty Offense | -2 | |
| Sack (Y.Rigby) and 3-and-Out | 7 | |
| Sack (L.Jordan) | 9 | |
| 3-and-Out | 10 | |
| INT (C.Moore) / Penalty | -1 | 11 |
| Fumble Recovery (K.Paul) | 14 | |
| Explosive Play (D.Mathis to J.Barbon) / 10-yard Penalty Defense | 2 | 12 |
| TD and PAT (D.Mathis to D.Fox) | 10 | |
| Explosive Play (D.Mathis to D.Martin Robinson) / 2 1st Downs | 14 | |
| TFL | 13 | |
| Stopped Drive | 14 | |
| Missed FG | 17 | |
| INT (J.Ware) | 20 | |
| TFL (J.Magee) | 21 | |
| 3-and-Out | 22 | |
| 2 1st Downs | 15 | |
| TFL | 23 | |
| 45-yd FG (R.Bell | 18 | |
| 10-yard Penalty Offense | 16 | |
| TFL and 3-and-Out | 25 | |
| TFL | 26 | |
| 5-yard Penalty Offense | 15 | |
| 3-and-Out | 27 | |
| Sack (K.Wilson) / 3-and-Out | 30 | |
| TFL | 31 | |
| TFL / 3-and-Out | 33 | |
| Penalty Defense | 34 | |
| Two Minute Drill | ||
| Explosive Run (D.Mathis) | 18 | |
| 2 1st Downs | 19 | |
| FGM (R.Bell) | 22 | |
| Explosive Pass (D.Valenti to J.Adams) | 25 | |
| Sack (L.Jordan) | 36 | |
| Halftime | ||
| TFL / 3-and-Out | 38 | |
| Sack (J.Satchell) | 40 | |
| Stopped Drive | 41 | |
| Explosive Run (I.Clement) | 28 | |
| TD and PAT (M.Valenti to J.Smith) | 38 | |
| 3-and-Out | 42 | |
| Explosive pass (D.Mathis to A.Anderson) | 41 | |
| INT (M.McCargo) | 45 | |
| Fumble Recovery (K.Wilson) | 48 | |
| TFL | 49 | |
| Sack (K.Wilson) / Stopped Drive | 52 | |
| Two Minute Drill | ||
| Sack (L.Howard) | 54 | |
| Explosive Play (E.Saydee) / 2 1st Downs | 45 | |
| TD and PAT (D.Mathis to A.Anderson) | 55 | |
| Sack (L.Jordan) | 56 | |
| 5-yard penalty Offense | 54 | |
| 4th Down Stop | 59 | |
| 4th Down Stop | 62 | |
| Sack (D.Varner) | 64 | |
| FINAL | 54 | 64 |
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
P/K
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
SAF
/ Football
SAF
/ Football
DL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
SAF
/ Football
LB
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